Georgia Power plans to add more than 177 MW of C&I solar

Georgia Power today announced plans to add more than 177 MW of new solar resources to supply the company’s Commercial & Industrial Renewable Energy Development Initiative (C&I REDI). C&I REDI was developed through the company’s 2016 Integrated Resource Plan process and received final approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in 2017. The program, developed in coordination with the Georgia PSC and interested customers, is designed to further the growth of renewable energy in Georgia while also helping commercial and industrial customers meet distinct renewable energy goals.

“We are excited to partner with individual customers to accomplish their renewable energy goals, while also adding value for all customers through continued diversification of our state’s energy mix,” said Wilson Mallard, director of renewable development for Georgia Power. “This program demonstrates our ongoing commitment to responsibly procure renewable energy resources to meet our customers’ evolving energy needs, while ensuring reliable and affordable energy for millions of Georgians every day.”

Georgia Power hosted a Notice of Intent process in 2017 during which eligible customers applied to participate in the program. Four Georgia Power customers—Google, Johnson & Johnson, Target and Walmart—have subscribed to the C&I REDI Program through customer agreements for terms of at least 10 years in length. These participating customers will receive hourly credits matching the actual production from the two C&I REDI facilities, and will receive the benefit of renewable energy credits (RECs) generated from these new resources.

On April 3, the Georgia PSC approved Georgia Power power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the C&I REDI program with two developers building, owning and operating the solar facilities to supply the program. The first PPA is with NextEra Energy Resources through its subsidiary Dougherty County Solar, LLC for the 120 MW Dougherty County Solar Facility, located in Albany, Georgia, which is scheduled to begin operation by December 31, 2019. The second PPA is with Origis Energy through its subsidiary GA Solar 3, LLC for the 57.5 MW Tanglewood Solar facility, located in Camilla, Georgia, scheduled to begin operation by June 30, 2020. Both PPAs have 30-year terms and will provide energy and capacity benefits to Georgia Power. Georgia Power will provide all the associated RECs to the customers participating in the C&I REDI Program, which will be retired on their behalf for the duration of the terms of their customer agreements.